Eleutherococcus (Eleutherococcus) is a thorny shrub or tree that belongs to the Araliaceae family. The berry plant is widespread in the southeast of Siberia, as well as in the western and central parts of China. People call the plant "wild pepper", "free berry", "devil bush", "Siberian ginseng" and refer to garden or medicinal crops. Among the 30 different species, the most famous is Eleutherococcus spiny.
Description of the Eleutherococcus plant
Eleutherococcus has high decorative qualities and many medicinal properties. The thorny shrub consists of a strong branched rhizome with adventitious roots more than 20 m long appearing on it (as it grows). The root part is shallow - in the upper layer of the soil. The average height of several thin trunks with a light gray surface is from 2 m to 5 m. On the trunks there are a large number of straight shoots with sharp thin thorns. Leaves are finger-like compound, dark green in color. During the flowering period, inflorescences appear on the culture - umbrellas of small fragrant purple flowers. Black globular berries with a diameter of about 10 mm ripen in September - October.
Planting Eleutherococcus in open ground
The landing site for Eleutherococcus can be in a light, partial shade or shady area. The most favorable will be cultivation under a tall deciduous tree, which will create light shading for Eleutherococcus with its large shoots with a large amount of leaf mass. The composition of the soil does not matter much - the shrub is capable of growing on any soil, but still a moist and fertile land plot is preferable for berry crops. When grown in temperate climates with mild and snowy winters, shrubs do not need additional shelter for the winter months.
Eleutherococcus can be planted in autumn and spring, in autumn - in late October - early November, in spring - in early March, before sap flow begins. The chosen planting site requires preliminary preparation, which consists in deep digging (up to 30 cm in depth) and thorough cleaning of weeds and the remnants of parts of other plants and debris. When digging up the soil at the site of the future planting, it is recommended to apply approximately 5-6 kg of organic fertilizer (for example, manure) for each square meter of the plot.
The dimensions of the planting pit are 50 cm deep and 50-60 cm in diameter. When planting several crops, it is worth adhering to the interval between them - at least 2 m.The prepared seedling must be placed exactly in the center of the planting pit, carefully spread the root part and also carefully sprinkle with nutritious soil so that the root collar is at a depth of no more than 2.5-3 see the ground in the near-trunk circle after planting, it is necessary to compact a little, after which the first watering with a weak manganese solution (slightly pink) is carried out;
To obtain a rich harvest, it is recommended to plant several specimens of Eleutherococcus (not far from each other) in the garden at once, since young shrubs can have only female or male flowers. When planting eleutherococcus seedlings in autumn, it is recommended, with the arrival of the first frost, to take care of protecting the young fragile root system of plants and apply a three-centimeter mulching layer of rotted humus to the trunks.
Care of Eleutherococcus in the garden
Watering
Caring for the plant is so simple that you will have to spend a minimum of your free time on it. The thorny shrub does not need watering, the only exceptions are long dry periods with a long absence of rainfall.
The soil
Caring for the soil, namely weeding and loosening, in the near-stem circle is also not required and even harmful, because the emerging weeds do no harm to the culture. Weeds, on the other hand, prevent the soil from overheating above the root part and retain its moisture. If a moderately aggressive ground cover plant is planted in the near-stem circle and in the immediate vicinity of the shrub, then it will only have a positive effect on the growth and development of Eleutherococcus.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Additional mineral fertilizing is applied once a year in the spring. Each culture is watered with a special nutrient solution consisting of 10 liters of settled water and 2 tbsp. complex fertilizer.
Pruning
Pruning is recommended once or twice a year. In early spring, it is imperative to remove all dried, diseased and damaged shoots. To give the plant a neat and tidy look, you can also carry out a small formative pruning.
Diseases and pests
Another important advantage and positive quality of Eleutherococcus is resistance to pests and diseases. The plant is not afraid of any diseases and is never affected by pests.
Types and varieties of Eleutherococcus
Popular species and varieties found in culture are Eleutherococcus "Sidyachetsvetkovy" (average height - 2.5-3 m), "Henry" (winter-hardy, average height - 1-3 m), "Simona" (heat-loving, average height - about 5 m).
Useful properties of Eleutherococcus
Ginseng and Eleutherococcus contain almost the same amount of useful substances, which have long been appreciated by both traditional and official medicine. These two medicinal plants have received well-deserved respect and recognition from specialists. The leaves and the root of the shrub have healing properties. The leafy part is harvested during the flowering period, carefully dried and used for its intended purpose. Plant roots can only be removed from the ground during the spring or fall season.
The composition of the prickly eleutherococcus contains many valuable components that contribute to recovery in the treatment of many diseases. Vegetable fats, essential oils, resins, glycosides and much more make medicinal decoctions, ointments, teas, tinctures based on it. In pharmaceuticals there are various preparations in which this medicinal culture is the main active ingredient - capsules, tablets, pills, syrups, dry and liquid extracts, tinctures, herbal mixtures. Traditional medicine offers its own recipes for the preparation of medicines. Here is some of them:
- Tea for the treatment of colds and nervous exhaustion - 1 tbsp. crushed leaves need to be poured with boiling water in an amount of 500 ml and left for 10-15 minutes to infuse.
- Ointment to remove warts - To make the ointment, you will need fresh Eleutherococcus root, garlic, and unsalted lard. Each component must be taken in equal parts and chopped with a meat grinder or blender. The finished ointment is spread in a thin layer on a gauze bandage and fixed on the wart, leaving for 10-12 hours.
- A decoction to strengthen the body and increase efficiency - to prepare the decoction, you will need 1 liter of hot water and 50 g of chopped roots. The roots must be poured, brought to a boil, boiled for fifteen minutes, and then left to cool completely. It is recommended to strain the broth before use.
The active and valuable components of Eleutherococcus are used:
- To increase endurance, relieve physical and mental fatigue, improve performance and strengthen immunity;
- To normalize the functioning of the nervous system and improve the quality of vision;
- To restore normal metabolism;
- In the treatment of diabetes mellitus to lower blood sugar levels;
- To lower cholesterol levels;
- For the prevention and prevention of cancer;
- To restore potency in men and as an analgesic for menstruation in women;
- With nervous disorders, prolonged stress, in the treatment of depression, to eliminate anxiety and irritability, with insomnia and excessive tearfulness;
- For the treatment of hypertension and for problems with blood vessels, with arrhythmias and during climacteric manifestations;
- To strengthen hair roots and hair loss;
- In the treatment of skin diseases.
With all its many advantages, the plant in isolated cases causes intestinal upset and diarrhea.
